I’m not sure what’s more fun… seeing what Pantone picks as the “color of the year,” or hearing how everyone reacts to it! I can’t remember a year in which there wasn’t some sort of strong reaction to the color – it seems like everyone either absolutely hates their choice, or totally loves it.
This year, Pantone named “Cloud Dancer” the color of 2026, and just like in the past, the feedback has been all over the place. Some are saying it’s sterile, boring, and too minimalistic, while others say it’s soft, clean, and calm.
If you’ve followed me on social media for a while, you know I love a neutral. Pantone’s color of the year is fine, but if it were up to me to choose what neutral color to highlight for 2026, I’d lean into something a bit warmer. Here are some of my picks!
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee is one of my favorite whites. It’s a tad warmer than Cloud Dancer, and adds depth to a space without making it feel too yellow. It’s warm, airy, and versatile. It wins for me every time!
Swiss Coffee always has my heart, but White Dove is another great, versatile white. It has a nice balance of cool and warm undertones, and works for a variety of color palates without feeling too creamy or stark white.
Simply White, another color from Benjamin Moore, has a misleading name. You’d think this one would be really stark white, but it’s not! With the high light reflectance value, this white appears warmer than a pure white. Subtle yellow undertones give it a nice inviting glow. This was Benjamin Moore’s color of the year in 2016, and even 10 years later, I think it still remains a top contender!